MENTIONING Liverpool versus Leeds without referring to Robbie Fowler is a bit like writing about the achievements of Neil Armstrong and neglecting the part where he landed on the moon.

Like it or not, Fowler will be the centre of attention at Elland Road on Sunday. Forget the subplots, Fowler playing against Liverpool is the big story.

He will be written about, talked about and argued about between now and kick-off.

The rival camps believing Liverpool were right or wrong to sell him will have their say again.

If Fowler scores and Leeds win, it will be presented as damning evidence the Reds were wrong to sell him.

Should he fail to perform and Liverpool prove victorious, those who agree with Gerard Houllier's decision will claim 'we told you so'.

The reality is Sunday's encounter will prove nothing about the Fowler sale. If Liverpool don't perform, they can expect some difficult headlines on Monday morning, but 90 games will be the truer test of the decision to sell Fowler, not 90 minutes.

The message from the Anfield camp this week has been firmly along the lines of this game is about Liverpool versus Leeds, not Fowler.

It's eleven versus eleven. Everything that needed to be said was said at the time, Liverpool argue. Expect nothing more to be stated on the matter.

However, while the 'F' word won't be uttered around Melwood, stopping everyone else from using it is the height of optimism.

You can be sure David O'Leary will be tempting fate with his wish to see Fowler put one over his old club.

And those Liverpool fans travelling to Elland Road will have one key topic of conversation. They'll possess a terrifying fear as they head to Yorkshire.

A Fowler goal in a Leeds win is the stuff of nightmares. The sight of Fowler, in his white shirt, running towards the embraces of

Leeds supporters will be the equivalent of sharp dagger aimed pointedly into the back of those who worshipped him. And the worst thing about it, to ardent Kopites, is the wound will have been selfinflicted and avoidable.

The best result for Liverpool is a comfortable win in which Fowler is allowed to grab a late consolation.

Whatever happens on Sunday, Robbie Fowler deserves and will get an excellent reception from all sides of Elland Road.

His name will be chanted by the visiting supporters as much as those from Yorkshire.

But the names of Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Nicolas Anelka should be chanted even louder by those sitting in the away end.